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Duke quarterback Quentin Harris carries into the end zone against Pitt linebacker Saleem Brightwell and defensive back Dennis Briggs in the first quarter Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, at Heinz Field.
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Pitt's linebacker situation 'more wide-open than it's ever been'

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

Pitt's linebacker situation 'more wide-open than it's ever been'

For the next three weeks, Pitt linebacker coach Rob Harley will be a real-life version of Zach Galifianakis' character from "The Hangover." Well, at least the part where Galifianakis practices crazy math in his head. But instead of counting cards, the figures floating around in Harley's noggin will be the various linebacker combinations Pitt can employ in 2019.

On Friday, Pitt's opening day of fall camp, Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi said, "If I had to pick the position where there's more competition than ever, I would say it's linebacker." And that makes sense.

Pitt's 2018 Week 1 starters — Quintin Wirginis, Elijah Zeise and Seun Idowu — are gone to graduation. In their wake, eight (count 'em, eight) linebackers are set to compete for three starting spots and playing time. That's a lot to sift through. But Harley and Narduzzi are committed to constantly churning through combos to find one that fits.

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"We're going to move guys around," Harley said smiling. "Who has the best chemistry? Who plays off each other the best? Who communicates the best? Those three are going to play the most. ... It's wide-open. More wide-open than it's ever been."

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Now, the Panthers did release a preseason depth chart in mid-July, featuring Saleem Brightwell at middle linebacker and Phil Campbell III and Chase Pine on the outside, at "Star" and "Money," respectively. Elias Reynolds, who started the final seven regular-season games at "Mike," was second to Brightwell, an experienced redshirt senior. Cam Bright sat behind Campbell III, while Kyle Nunn slotted in as Pine's No. 2.

But how much weight is actually put in that depth chart? The July two-deep didn't feature any graduate transfers — ahem, Kylan Johnson — as it was largely based on what happened four months ago in spring practice.

When asked about sitting atop the preseason depth chart, Pine shrugged.

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"Spring ball honestly doesn't mean anything," the redshirt junior said. "Man, camp is where you really stamp your name down."

Pine, who played in all 14 games last year and started at "Mike" against Stanford in the Sun Bowl, is hoping he can stay consistent and secure the No. 1 spot at "Money." He knows, though, that he'll be pushed by Nunn and Johnson.

Johnson, who transferred from Florida and has one year of eligibility, is perhaps the most interesting man in the linebacker room from a positional flexibility standpoint. The nine-time starter in Gainesville "could play anything," Narduzzi said. The staff will start Johnson out at "Money" on the short side of the field, but that could — and likely will at some point — change as camp progresses.

"We're going to give him a chance to play all of it," Harley added.

Coach Pat Narduzzi talks to players during Pitt football preseason camp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Monday, Aug 5, 2019 in South Side.
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Johnson might end up competing for time at "Star," where Campbell III is eying a breakout campaign. A former safety who transitioned to linebacker and excelled in the spring, Campbell III offers the necessary coverage skills for the wide side of the field.

The redshirt junior also added the weight needed to man a linebacker spot. Since finding out of his position change prior to spring camp, Campbell III has gained 17 pounds, from 203 to 220, thanks to 1 a.m. protein shakes and eating every two hours during the day.

"It was a lot," the linebacker said laughing. "But it paid off for sure."

Harley said Campbell III is "ready to go" at the "Star" position. But even the former safety knows his tentative No. 1 spot isn't safe. No one's is, really. Not with Johnson floating around and a competition commencing at middle linebacker.

"They're very close," Harley said of the battle at "Mike" between Reynolds and Brightwell. "You'd like someone to separate themselves, but you know that they're both very capable of playing at this level. That's comforting to us as coaches."

Still, what happens between Brightwell and Reynolds could affect the other two linebacker positions. The former has experience at "Money." If he gets beat out by Reynolds, could Brightwell move to the boundary, displacing Pine? Then what happens with Johnson? Does he cut into Campbell III's time?

After Day 1 of fall camp, Harley said it's "way too early" to discuss where his guys will end up. But the linebackers themselves are aware of the battles to come.

"It's definitely going to be competitive," Brightwell said. "But what I like about our group is, it's not going to be negative. ... It'll be a healthy competition. And it always does make you play better when you've got someone behind you who is just as good as you, trying to get your spot."

Pine, sitting at the same table as Brightwell, chimed in: "Man, we're just so hungry this year." How hungry? Well, Brightwell and Pine said they're aiming to be "the best defense in the country." Which, realistically, is a little far-fetched.

But, should Harley's horde of 'backers develop in camp, Pitt's defense ought to improve from last year (27.8 points per game allowed, 78th nationally). There's even potential for this unit to be the best of the Narduzzi era.

The defensive line is, for the most part, set. As is the secondary. Harley just needs to solve that equation in his head and find a dependable trio at linebacker. And ideally, he'll discover more along the way.

"With the potential of some of these guys, you're really looking at 1a's and 1b's. You're not even talking about backups," Harley said. "You're talking about guys who can go in, if they prove themselves. ... That's my hope."

First Published: August 4, 2019, 1:08 p.m.

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